Luke Combs Was Right: It Was A Very ‘Country’ CMA Awards
At the end of his second consecutive Entertainer of the Year acceptance speech Wednesday night (11/9), Luke Combs had one last comment to share. “I want to say one more…
At the end of his second consecutive Entertainer of the Year acceptance speech Wednesday night (11/9), Luke Combs had one last comment to share. "I want to say one more thing about tonight. This is my fifth or sixth year of being at this awards show, and country's sounding more 'country' than it has in a long time tonight." The crowd cheered, and he was right on point.
As always, the 56th Annual CMA Awards featured performances from the big superstars of today, like Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Combs and more. It also recognized the genre's roots by featuring music and performances from Alan Jackson, Reba, Patty Loveless with Chris Stapleton (which was arguably the best CMA performance of the night). Not to mention the surprise appearance by 1990s superstar Jo Dee Messina singing with Cole Swindell. There was also 1980's sensation Ricky Skaggs accompanying Carly Pearce, as she sang a song that she wrote about Loretta Lynn. Indeed, the show kicked off with a tribute to Ms. Lynn by Reba, Carrie and Miranda. Country was celebrating country and several generations were included.
As always, the doors are open to those outside of the format, and that was especially appropriate this year, as the CMAs honored Jerry Lee Lewis. One of the founders of rock and roll music, even when he was raising hell in the 1950s with "Whole Lot of Shakin'" and "Great Balls Of Fire" country music was receptive to him. But by the end of the 1960s, he was exclusively a country artist. The tribute felt appropriate: Elle King, a pop singer who has become more and more welcome on the country charts, sang "Great Balls of Fire" backed by Nashville-based rock band, the Black Keys. (Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach, by the way, has produced records for John Anderson and Hank Williams Jr.)
Pop superstar Katy Perry performed as well. But "Where We Started," a duet with Thomas Rhett, is very much a country song (with very modern production). Then there was the Brothers Osborne and War Treaty performance honoring the Rolling Stones. The song was "It's Only Rock and Roll," but they made it sound country. And the Stones have strong country roots anyway: listen to their songs like "Country Honk," "Dead Flowers" "Torn and Frayed" or "Far Away Eyes," and you can hear it for yourself. But none of these performances by outsiders felt like "stunt casting." It wasn't Journey playing "Don't Stop Believin'," a song with no ties to country. It wasn't Total Request Live stars the Backstreet Boys singing boy band anthem "Everybody." It wasn't Lil Wayne strapping on a guitar to perform a pop hit with Kid Rock.
Having covered country music for over 25 years now, I have watched country stars like Shania Twain and Taylor Swift become pop superstars. I was also around when George Strait and Alan Jackson released "Murder On Music Row" in 2000, a song eluding to the pop invasion of country music. This year's showing of country music at the CMA Awards was one of the best I have seen in a long time.
I have often wondered why in country music, like many genres, an artist is huge, and then after a certain period of time, they no longer get radio attention and seem to fade away. Look at the resurgence of Wynonna Judd, who is better than ever musically, but until her mother's tragic death in April, was sight unseen for years. Did we forget how great she was and why? An album she released long after her solo surge stint in country music in 2009, called "Sing Chapter 1," was epic and one of my favorites.
Even Reba, who sang at the beginning of the show to honor Loretta Lynn, agreed with Luke in an Instagram post writing of the show, "The show was wonderful as Luke Combs said, there was a lot of country there, which I was so glad to see and hear. Mixing generations of country music was wonderful. So many I didn't know and so many I was so glad to see again after so many years."
So bravo to the CMA Awards this year for bringing back that wonderful country music just as it was. And it was so evident to all of us watching the show when Alan Jackson was singing his classic "Don't Rock The Jukebox," and every country singer in the audience was singing along to every word; the country stars of today loved that they brought it back too. Combs was even pounding his chest as he sang along.
I am so glad Luke pointed that out to us in his speech, and I hope it will be the new normal for every country music award show going forward.
The 56th Annual Country Music Association Awards took place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennesee tonight (November 9). Second-time host Luke Bryan was joined by Peyton Manning as his co-host and presenters Mookie Betts, BRELAND,Jessica Chastain, Jordan Davis, Sarah Drew, Cole Hauser, Wynonna Judd, Lady A, Rex Linn, Little Big Town, Parker McCollum, Reba McEntire, Ben and Erin Napier, Jeannie Seely, Michael Shannon and Lainey Wilson.
With unforgettable solo performances, never-before-seen collaborations and special tributes from some of the biggest names in music, the artists taking the CMA Awards stage include Jimmie Allen, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Bryan, Brandy Clark, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Combs, Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Elle King, Marcus King, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Ashley McBryde, McEntire, John Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Katy Perry, Pillbox Patti, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, The Black Keys, The War and Treaty, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Wallen, Wilson and Zac Brown Band.
The best part of all awards shows is, of course, the fashion. Take a look below at all the hits and misses of the night:
Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Jelly Roll and Bunnie Xo attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Michael Shannon
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Michael Shannon attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
HARDY
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: HARDY attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Sam Williams
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Sam Williams attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
LoCash
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Chris Lucas and Preston Brust of LoCash attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Midland
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach and Jess Carson of Midland attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
MacKenzie Porter
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: MacKenzie Porter attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Caitlyn Smith
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Caitlyn Smith attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Daira Eamon and Lily Rose
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Daira Eamon and Lily Rose attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Valerie Ponzio
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Valerie Ponzio attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Ingrid Andress
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Ingrid Andress attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Miranda Lambert
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Miranda Lambert attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Kelsea Ballerini
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Kelsea Ballerini attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Priscilla Block
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Priscilla Block attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Jenee Fleenor
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Jenee Fleenor attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Cole Swindell
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Cole Swindell attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Jordan Davis and Kristen O'Connor
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Jordan Davis and Kristen O'Connor attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Ashley Gorley
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Ashley Gorley attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Carly Pearce
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Carly Pearce attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Jessie James Decker
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Jessie James Decker attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Lindsay Ell
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Lindsay Ell attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Jake Owen and Erica Hartlein
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Jake Owen and Erica Hartlein attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Madeline Edwards
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Madeline Edwards attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Kat & Alex
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Kat Luna and Alex Garrido of Kat & Alex attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Reba McEntire
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Reba McEntire attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Danielle Bradbery
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Danielle Bradbery attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Jon Pardi and Summer Ducan
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Jon Pardi and Summer Ducan attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Tiera Kennedy
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Tiera Kennedy attends the The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Marcus King
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Marcus King attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Breland
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Breland attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Megan Moroney
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Megan Moroney attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
O.N.E The Duo
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Tekitha Supreme and Prana Supreme of O.N.E The Duo attends the The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Dierks Bentley
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Dierks Bentley attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Brian Kelley and Brittney Marie Cole
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Brian Kelley and Brittney Marie Cole attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Pillbox Patti
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Pillbox Patti attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Lainey Wilson
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Lainey Wilson attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Carrie Underwood
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Carrie Underwood attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Katy Perry
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Katy Perry attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Chapel Hart
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Trea Swindle, Danica Hart and Devynn Hart of Chapel Hart attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Sarah Drew
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Sarah Drew attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Brothers Osborne
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: T.J. Osborne and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Kimberly Schlapman
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Kimberly Schlapman attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Jessica Chastain
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Jessica Chastain attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Reyna Roberts
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Reyna Roberts attends the The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Ashley McBryde
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Ashley McBryde attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Caylee Hammack
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Caylee Hammack attends The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Elle King and Dan Tooker
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 09: Elle King and Dan Tooker attend The 56th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 09, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
